art

“Big blue statue is being removed from the Kennedy Center!” – “Temporary Closures of Certain Parkland and Public Use Limitations, Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway”

By Prince Of Petworth

photo by Jeanette.Cook

Thanks to J. for sending: “I haven’t seen any explanation for its removal.”

“The Kennedy Center introduces Joel Shapiro’s “Blue”.

Joel Shapiro’s sculptures explode with the exuberance of youth. Their simple rectangles are assembled like stick figures that magically come alive.

Blue is poised in mid-kick, turning the surrounding landscape into a giant stage as it prepares to pirouette across the grass.

Shapiro spent two years in India in the Peace Corps, where he was inspired by the integration of art and culture. His sculptures are installed in scores of cities around the world. They achieve the goal set centuries ago by Egyptian and Greek sculptors—to endow base materials with movement and spirit of life.

Blue is located by the Video Wall at the REACH.”

From the National Park Service:

“Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.5, the National Park Service will implement a temporary closure of the northbound lane of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW from September 2, 2026 at 6:00am, to September 2, 2026, at 1:00pm. The exact times are subject to change based upon the evolving schedule of the events. Closures and public use restrictions will be delineated in the map below and as further delineated by U.S. Park Police presence, and other physical barriers.

Specifically, there will be temporary closure and restricted public access to the northbound lanes of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW, with blockades at the E St on-ramp, at the intersection of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway and Parkway Dr NW, which would direct traffic from Ohio Dr SW to Parkway Dr NW, and at the intersection of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway and F St NW. The restricted areas are depicted in the enclosed map (see below).

These temporary closures and restrictions are at the request of The Kennedy Center for the removal of the “Blue” Statue on The Kennedy Center grounds. A crane will occupy the northbound lanes of Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway in order to remove the statue. These closures ensures the safety of the crew removing the statue and the public. Less restrictive measures and means are unavailable in the removal of the statue based on its location. (more…)

“A New Harriet Tubman Sculpture Has Arrived at the Newly Rebuilt Tubman Elementary School”

By Prince Of Petworth

3101 13th Street, NW Photos by Michael Janis / WGS

From an email:

“Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Columbia Heights has reopened after its major modernization, and there is a striking new piece of public art at the front of the campus: an 11-foot Corten steel sculpture called Enduring Dreams of Home, designed by Washington Glass School artists Michael Janis, Erwin Timmers & Tim Tate.

The sculpture takes the form of fractured Washington rowhouses, with a stylized portrait of Harriet Tubman emerging from the center. The house is an important part of the story. For Tubman, home was something that had to be escaped, fought for, and ultimately made possible for others. Placing the sculpture at a school named for Tubman brings that history into the everyday lives of a new generation of Washington children. (more…)

Tonight* in Randomly Floating Chandeliers Spotted Around Town – Wangari Gardens

By Prince Of Petworth


“Wangari Gardens is located between Kenyon Street, Irving Street, and Park Place NW. We are next to the Washington Hospital, Soldiers’ Home, McMillan Reservoir, and the Parkview and Pleasant Plains neighborhoods.”

Thanks to Michael for sending us this fantastic photo from “Wangari Gardens. Thanks to our chandelier artist for putting these up all around town.”

Randomly Floating Chandeliers Spotted Around Town is made possible by Friends of the J. & L. Lobmeyr Society. You can send your sightings to us at [email protected] thanks.

Ed. Note: From time to time chandeliers appear randomly floating around town.

“The Watergate Museum Corporation Opens Pop-up Portrait Gallery”

By Prince Of Petworth


“Picture of Laurie Munn standing before her paintings in the Watergate Museum “pop-up” gallery.”

From the Watergate Museum (2542 Virginia Ave, NW):

“The Watergate Museum Corporation is pleased to announce that it recently opened a “pop-up” portrait gallery of the individuals associated with the Watergate scandal. Painted by artist Laurie Munn, these 82 original portraits feature key players in the 1972 break-in and cover up, the Nixon administration, and the 1970’s. This is the only time that all of the portraits have been exhibited together. The location is the Watergate Retail Plaza (lower level), 2542 Virginia Ave NW. The hours are: (more…)

“After 27 years of making space for art in Washington, DC, CulturalDC has concluded operations and announced a series of legacy investments to carry the mission forward.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From a press release:

“At a private celebration last month, CulturalDC’s Board of Directors announced that the organization would sunset operations after more than 27 years of transforming the District’s arts and culture scene. This decision follows the sale of the historic Source building in August 2025, which CulturalDC originally purchased in October 2006 to preserve and redevelop as a multi-use performing arts space. The sale marked a significant milestone in the organization’s journey to reimagine how it invests in artists and the future of DC’s creative community.

Founded in 1998, (more…)

“We’re Reopening The Fridge! Same Spot. New Era.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Rear Alley, 516 8th Street, SE

From a press release:

“Founded in 2009, The Fridge quickly became a vital gathering space for street artists, poets, muralists, and creative voices often excluded from traditional art institutions. Known for its zero-gatekeeping policy and commitment to community, the gallery helped launch over 1,000 creative careers and hosted exhibitions, music showcases, and public mural projects that defined an era of DC underground art.

After closing in 2023 due to rising costs and a complicated legal battle, The Fridge, a beloved Capitol Hill arts space, is preparing for a long-awaited return to its original home behind Barracks Row. Alex’s late-father always used to tell him “This is America, anyone can sue anyone for anything, if it is true or not.” Then Alex learned those in real life when he tried to sell the building. The buyer attempted to sue in order to get the building for a lesser price.

A new GoFundMe campaign titled “Reopen The Fridge Art Gallery: Same Location. New Era.” seeks to raise $50,000 by October 1 to fund repairs, renovations, and expanded community programming, with the goal of reopening by 2026. (more…)

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